Phuket's Nene Royal, 16, achieved global recognition after her powerful rendition of "Zombie" earned four "Yes" votes on America's Got Talent, skyrocketing her popularity.
Her international success was celebrated by the Thai government, with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul inviting her to Government House for bringing recognition to Thailand.
Nene admits fame arrived "too fast," expressing surprise at her sudden popularity and the dramatic changes to her daily life since her AGT appearance.
She aspires to become a globally recognized recording artist, write and perform original songs, and tour the world, while also clarifying her 100% Thai identity from Phuket.
Thailand's Education Ministry is implementing a four-pronged strategy to address its students' below-average performance in PISA 2025 and tackle significant educational inequality.
The plan prioritizes closing performance gaps by increasing funding for small and low-income schools, overhauling the curriculum to foster critical thinking, and adopting a data-driven management system to reduce teacher workload.
Key initiatives include enhancing school safety, combating cyberbullying, and expanding mental health support through peer-to-peer networks, recognizing the severe impact of distress on academic performance.
An education expert advises verifying if PISA improvements stem from structural changes, advocating for a revived STEM curriculum with practical 'learn by doing' methods, and urging bureaucratic reform to link teacher evaluations to student development.